Mike Rossman

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Mike Rossman (born July 1, 1955) is a former world champion boxer of Jewish/Italian origin, which led to his mokier "The Jewish Bomber". His real name is Mike DiPiano - Rossman is his mother's maiden name, which he uses rather than his father's as part of an 'appeasement agreement'. Rossman's father was Italian, and his mother Jewish, and he has a tattoo of the Star of David on the calf of his right leg (ironically contradicting the Jewish commandment against tattoos).

[edit] Career Highlights

Rossman started his career in 1973, and had an impressive run in the beginning before going into some moderate 'mini-slumps' where he appeared to have a lethargic attitude toward the sport. Following this period his performance improved to the point that he was able to challenge for a world champion title, held by the Argentine Victor Galindez. The championship was contested in a bout on the undercard of Ali-Spinks rematch in September, 1978. Many thought Galindez would defeat his opponent, but Rossman opened up some cuts over Galindez's eyes and continued fighting that way until near the end of the 13th round, when the referee stopped the fight, and Rossman became world champion. Rossman would make one successful defense before his hometown Philadelphia fans in December of the same year, stopping Italian challenger Aldo Traversaro in the fifth round after opening a wound on Aldo's forehead with a left hook. Later, after losing the title back to Galindez in 1979 (see below), his career declined as he lost several matches; he never again fought in a title match. He would fight into the early 1980s, and perhaps the biggest name he faced in post-championship status was the upstart Dwight Braxton (today known as Dwight Muhammad Qawi), who defeated him in seven rounds in May 1981.

[edit] Rossman vs Galindez Championship Rematch

In February 1979, Rossman would participate in what is sometimes considered one of professional boxing's most embarrassing moments (at least in modern times). At a scheduled rematch between Rossman and Galindez, Rossman was left waiting in the ring as Galindez failed to appear: the challenger's camp was disputing the neutrality of the judges scoring the fight. After immediate attempts to remedy the situation failed, the fight was suspended, and rescheduled two months later in April 1979. With Rossman perhaps still fretting about boxing politics, Galindez was focused on regaining the title, and was able to defeat Rossman. Rossman apparently broke his right hand during the bout, severely limiting his boxing ability. The pain became worse over the course of the fight, and unbearable to a point where Rossman told his father-manager after the ninth round that he could not continue. Galindez was thus able to reclaim the championship.